Comments on: Texans face dilemma with Arian Fosterhttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/14/texans-face-tough-decision-with-foster/
ProFootballTalk on NBCSports.comTue, 03 Mar 2015 22:49:07 +0000hourly1http://wordpress.com/By: will447http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/14/texans-face-tough-decision-with-foster/#comment-1578311
Tue, 14 Feb 2012 22:03:19 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=241529#comment-1578311That is true, but when you have a multi-dimensional player, you have to keep them. Arian was able to lighten the burden on a third string QB and win games.

3 games without Arian, the Texans struggled. 11 games without Mario, their defense didn’t skip a beat and actually improved. A team like the Texans need a strong RB presence in order to keep their passing game going. As good as Shaub is, he doesn’t scare opposing defenses with his arm.

Could Tate do what Foster does? Possibly, but would you be willing to risk it and potentially set your team back?

Marshall Faulk
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I would say Jamal Lewis with the Ravens in 2001 (2000 season).

But it was more than a decade ago. Championship teams just aren’t built around running backs anymore. As great as Foster is, money should be spent elsewhere.

]]>By: sasquash20http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/14/texans-face-tough-decision-with-foster/#comment-1578094
Tue, 14 Feb 2012 20:09:03 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=241529#comment-1578094Sign Mario. DE are harder to replace then RB. As long as the Texans keep that O-Line in place they will be able to be productive in the running game and screen game. Foster is a very good back but Tate proved to be almost as good last season. He is injury prone so if you lose Foster you may have to get another back in the draft to play with Tate but that is easier then getting another stud DE. Bottom line RBs tend to have a short shelf life.
]]>By: 16x8equal49ershttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/14/texans-face-tough-decision-with-foster/#comment-1578064
Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:53:08 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=241529#comment-1578064This could be karma. Once again the Texans have to choose between Williams or a running back.
]]>By: schaef17http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/14/texans-face-tough-decision-with-foster/#comment-1578057
Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:52:18 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=241529#comment-1578057Clarification (clarification of the clarification: I’m not sure why I care about this at all): So I read here:

that the 120% rule applies to players when they get franchised for the second consecutive year. Unless I’m mistaken, which I often am although I don’t think I am here, Mario was not franchised last year and thus that rule does not apply to him and he would only be subject to the approximate 10.6 mill franchise price. Rosenthal, any words of wisdom?

]]>By: havok82http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/14/texans-face-tough-decision-with-foster/#comment-1578015
Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:36:28 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=241529#comment-1578015Foster is healthy while Williams is coming off an IR season. Ben Tate is great, but that offense has run off Foster for 2 years now. Mediocre backs are all over the place, but franchise guys are hard to find. With JJ Watt and others, they don’t need Williams as much on D anymore. They can afford to let him walk.
]]>By: schaef17http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/14/texans-face-tough-decision-with-foster/#comment-1577995
Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:26:38 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=241529#comment-1577995http://nfllabor.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/collective-bargaining-agreement-2011-2020.pdf

Just read throught the Franchise Tag section briefly but I don’t see any mention of the 120% of the cap number rule, and I do faintly recall reading a while back that it had been removed from the latest version. Can anyone verify or refute this?

]]>By: texans3fourhttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/14/texans-face-tough-decision-with-foster/#comment-1577978
Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:18:56 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=241529#comment-1577978The other ‘priority’ for the Texans is keeping the O-line intact. They need to re-sign Chris Meyers(C) and Mike Brisel (RG) in order to maintain what is arguably the best line in football. Foster and Tate excel because the Texans’ Zone Blocking scheme is run to perfection. I’d hate to lose Mario, but the money they’ll have to give up to keep him should be spent on maintaining and upgrading the offensive side of the ball this year. And in 2013, Shaub, Duane Brown (LT) and Connor Barwin (DE/OLB) are key figures that will be up for renewal so impact beyond this year has to be considered.
]]>By: damcgheehttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/14/texans-face-tough-decision-with-foster/#comment-1577949
Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:09:17 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=241529#comment-1577949Let Williams go!!!!!!! he was totally inadequate as an outside LB in the 3-4…..the defense really took off when he was hurt and replaced by Brooks Reed in the line-up…….Willaims has never been anything even playing full time but a speed rusher a one trick pony certainly not worth 23 mil..it would be McNair’s folly with David Carr all over again…..McClain couldn’t wipe his chin if N.D. Kalu didn’t hand him a nakin so don’t listen to him as a voice of knowledge or authority..put another 50 worst/best photo slides up John!
]]>By: fordman84http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/14/texans-face-tough-decision-with-foster/#comment-1577938
Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:06:19 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=241529#comment-1577938Did the new CBA or whatever make it against the rules to put contracts out there that do something like making the entire contract fully guaranteed if the player plays in a certain state more than 4 times, like was the rage for stealing so many restricted players the last few years?

If Cincy makes a contract that has guarantees or escalators for playing in the state of Texas more than 4 times, then Houston would be unlikely to match that offer.

]]>By: damcgheehttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/14/texans-face-tough-decision-with-foster/#comment-1577932
Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:03:24 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=241529#comment-1577932John McClain is totally clueless Greg.. He loudly supported and pushed for the Texans to give David Carr the contract extension at a bonus of 8 mil and 8 mil each for the following 3 yrs…..He would not entertain any other scenarios… and we know how well that worked out…he is now a photo slide blogger for the Chronicle as is all of the other so called sports writers.reporters on the Houston Comical/Comical.com staff
]]>By: whitemike55http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/14/texans-face-tough-decision-with-foster/#comment-1577924
Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:59:21 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=241529#comment-1577924As a Diehard Texans fan who has watched every play since there inception, this is what they should do.

Foster is CLEARLY the better back than Tate. Faster, Better Vision, Better Receiver, and pass protector. That being said, Tate is not bad at all.

Now, the Texans had the #2 Defense in the league with Mario Williams missing 11 regular season games.

Without Foster the first 3 weeks we were NOT the same offense.

In a perfect world I would love to see Mario back in this Defense along with Foster carrying the rock. Unless Mario takes a hometown discount and Texans are willing to Guarantee and backload his contract heavily into 2013, 2014, 2015 he will not be here.

I’d be willing to take that risk as the Texans GM and backload his contract (Only if we are getting somewhat of a discount) just to see what he can do in Wade’s system. I think Demarcus Ware #’s.

Try for Long Term Deal with Foster. If that doesn’t work Franchise him at @ 8 million. (He made $550,000 last year)

To the guy wondering why Mario’s Franchise # will be 22.9 Million. It’s because it’s the higher of 1. Top 5 at his position. or 2. Your previous years Salary cap number x 120%. Mario made 13 million last year, but his cap number was like 20 million last year and 120% of that is @ 22.9 Million. Impossible for the Texans to Tag him. (They may tag him, but recind it in the hopes of trying to trade him)

]]>By: jsalis13http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/14/texans-face-tough-decision-with-foster/#comment-1577890
Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:43:02 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=241529#comment-1577890They need to keep Foster. Runningbacks may have short careers, but he should have 4-5 good ones left in him barring major injury. Williams is a great player, but Connor Barwin and Brooks Reed were more than capable replacements.

The team isn’t old really, but they aren’t getting any younger, especially Andre Johnson and Owen Daniels, so they need to keep their foot on the gas so to speak offensively.

It’s been proven far easier to come by a very good or even great running back then it is an average pass rusher in this league. Why you would choose an injury prone RB over your leading pass rusher is mind boggling to me.
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A couple of things here. I am a Vikings fan, but I also love watching the Texans. There is no doubt that Foster is a better all-around back than Tate. He is better in pass protection, and as a receiver out of the backfield. You cannot look at yards per carry and use that as the only stat to justify Ben Tate. 2nd: When has Foster ever been injury prone. He has been a stud in the 2 plus years he has been in the league. Williams has had way more injury problems than Foster. 3rd- This team is much better in the red-zone with Foster, than it is with Tate. Franchise tag Foster, get creative with a long-term deal with Williams. If Williams doesn’t sign, it isn’t like the defense sucked last year. Foster has to be retained if this team wants to be a serious player in the AFC playoff race next year.

]]>By: ampatshttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/14/texans-face-tough-decision-with-foster/#comment-1577824
Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:06:45 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=241529#comment-1577824As a Patriots fan I say keep Foster because Mario Williams will look great in a Pats uniform. There is already talk (radio)about BB going after Williams if he is available and cap space is not an issue.
]]>By: texanvolhttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/14/texans-face-tough-decision-with-foster/#comment-1577819
Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:04:56 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=241529#comment-1577819@rwmilli lol at your stupidity. “sure not all are AP or CJ”. ARIAN FOSTER is as good/better than AP or CJ. You clearly dont watch the texans. If you did, you would know that Foster isnt replaceable and that Mario, in fact, is.
]]>By: andrejohnsonforpresidenthttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/14/texans-face-tough-decision-with-foster/#comment-1577817
Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:04:42 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=241529#comment-1577817If they let certain players walk they can get both back. Mr McNair has the money to do what the steelers did. Maybe a few players will give some money back. Cough cough Andre!! Be a team player man!!!
]]>By: rootintootinnootinhttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/14/texans-face-tough-decision-with-foster/#comment-1577813
Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:02:44 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=241529#comment-1577813Franchising a RB in this day and age is ludicrous. Any RB could get behind that offensive line and produce big numbers.

Tate averaged 5.4 ypc, which is an entire yard better than Foster averaged last year.

So, saying that they won’t let Foster get away instead of Williams just seems like really poor analysis to me.

It’s been proven far easier to come by a very good or even great running back then it is an average pass rusher in this league. Why you would choose an injury prone RB over your leading pass rusher is mind boggling to me.

]]>By: effedinLAhttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/14/texans-face-tough-decision-with-foster/#comment-1577752
Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:43:58 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=241529#comment-1577752Pay Foster like the other running backs that had great starts and watch him fold up like a lawn chair. Too much money appears to slow down RB’s with few exceptions.
]]>By: metalhead65http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/14/texans-face-tough-decision-with-foster/#comment-1577730
Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:31:02 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=241529#comment-1577730by all means keep foster. I think williams would look pretty good on the other side of Juilias Peppers in Chicago.
]]>By: rwmillihttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/14/texans-face-tough-decision-with-foster/#comment-1577727
Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:28:46 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=241529#comment-1577727Lol at all you saying foster over Williams….RB = most replaceable position…look at how many stud Backs there are today..sure not all are AP or CJ, but it’s by far the most replaceable position.
]]>By: silvernblackpahttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/14/texans-face-tough-decision-with-foster/#comment-1577709
Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:20:41 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=241529#comment-1577709I think the Texans will get a long term deal done with Williams, but in the vein of “a boy can dream”, he’d look MIGHTY GOOD coming off the edge dressed in silver and black.
]]>By: ziggy26http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/14/texans-face-tough-decision-with-foster/#comment-1577708
Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:18:48 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=241529#comment-1577708Name the last elite running back that led his team to a Super Bowl…

…(crickets)…

]]>By: jessethegreathttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/14/texans-face-tough-decision-with-foster/#comment-1577698
Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:09:34 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=241529#comment-1577698He turned out to be a great 1st overall pick, but I believe the Texans will place priority on Foster.

Their D was much improved this year, even with Super Mario hurt for a good portion of it thanks to the additions of Wade Phillips with his 3-4 scheme, JJ Watt with his A+ rookie year, and Johnathan Joseph shoring up the once weak CB position.

Foster is the young back that doesn’t have many miles on his legs. Mario might last longer than Foster in the league going forward due to the shelf life of a RB vs the shelf life of an OLB/DE, but the Texans should expect another good/great 4-5 years of Arian slashing and running thru defenses. IMHO, Foster was and is the key to the Texans offense but Williams was just a very good piece of their D.

If only Super Mario were a 3-4 end instead of a 4-3 end / 3-4 olb. If this were the case, he’d be the glaring weakness my Packers need filled.

]]>By: athenstexanhttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/14/texans-face-tough-decision-with-foster/#comment-1577697
Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:07:03 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=241529#comment-1577697Unfortunately, Williams is gone. Foster is here to stay, but I really think numerous backs could succeed in Houston’s scheme. This is the first time EVER that we have a balanced team. It’s a good feeling.
]]>By: schaef17http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/14/texans-face-tough-decision-with-foster/#comment-1577695
Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:05:24 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=241529#comment-1577695Also, not saying this is right, or that it is what the Texans are actually doing but the jolly ole John McLain that you mention above is on record saying that Mario is the top priority: https://twitter.com/#!/McClain_on_NFL/status/169436550940213249
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